Hmm, I’m not sure that I tend to gravitate towards one type of research method or not. I think both are able to show you many different and important figures and information, but they are used for different things. If I wanted to get a statistical or precise number, to see if there was a decrease or increase by a percentage point, I would typically go with a quantitative method. If I wanted to know more descriptive results that aren’t necessarily point blank black or white, then I would definitely use qualitative. In terms of my research proposal on if safe injection sites increase successful sobriety from a rehabilitation facility, I will have qualitative data. The primary reason for that is because successful sobriety is not one thing or not; it’s a mix of traits that contribute to that sobriety, and all those traits are different for every person.
Of course I think it’s important to see the biases in research methods. I think a big one for qualitative research methods is the bias in interpretation. Everyone can interpret the questions differently and that will obviously effect how they respond, effecting the data you have received.
“Rate your current stress level from 1-5 (5 being the highest)” is a much broader and interpretive question than “What is 2+2?”.
There are also biases in both when it comes to samplings too, as researches can easily omit certain people from their sampling.
I think deciding on which method you are going to be using is really best decided on how you plan to get your data and information. If you’re planning to do surveys, then you’re likely going to be using quantitative methods. If you’re doing interviews or focus groups, you’re likely going to be using qualitative methods.
Justyna Wolek 